One
of the best places to shop in Ottawa... you've got great variety of food,
wonderful artisans, and one of the best cafes in town!."

Welcome to Ottawa's historic ByWard Market Square. ByWard Market Square is
located in the downtown area of Ottawa's oldest commercial and residential
neighbourhoods and the cradle of the city's French, Irish and Jewish
populations.

The original market building was constructed in 1848 and the current one was built in
1926.

It was renovated in 1975 and re-opened in 1976. At this time the
building became a domain for Art and Craft producers.

Then

Now

In November, 1997 a joint venture between the City of Ottawa and the ByWard
Market Building Revitalization Group was put into place.

The Revitalization
Group undertook nearly $2 million in renovation and restoration transforming the
building into the current landmark of retail food merchants, specialty boutiques
and artisans.